Jump to: About | Benefits of registration | How to take part | Resources and inspiration | Funding | CLPL | Library Challenge | Technical support
We believe that reading has the power to change lives and that developing a love of reading in childhood can have a huge impact on educational attainment and future wellbeing.
The First Minister’s Reading Challenge aims to help children and young people between the ages of 5 and 18 develop a love of reading. We’re supporting schools, libraries and communities across Scotland to develop reading cultures and give every child in Scotland the opportunity to experience the benefits – and the fun – of reading for pleasure.
Registration for the First Minister's Reading Challenge is now closed for 2022–23.
Who can take part
All public libraries in Scotland can register to take part. You can take part as a whole library, or as individual groups within your library. The Reading Challenge is also open to primary schools, secondary schools and community groups.
Benefits of registration
Registration for the First Minister’s Reading Challenge allows you to:
- Order reading passports for individual participants
- Access our huge range of downloadable resources and guides
- Apply for funding to work with an author, illustrator, storyteller or poet
- Submit your Reading Challenge stories to us for a chance to win awards and attend our Celebration event
How to take part
- Register your library
A key contact should register the library for the challenge, and order any passports. Registration is quick and easy. If you were signed up last year, your key contact just needs to log in and opt in to this year's challenge. They will then find the passport ordering page linked on their account page. If you didn't take part last year, you can register and order passports. If you have any issues with registration, please contact us. - Ask staff to sign up
Once the library has been registered by a key contact, additional staff can register for staff accounts and register their own groups. - Get reading!
You can browse our resource library and our blog for ideas and inspiration. - Enter the Challenge
We want to hear all about your reading journey! For further guidance on how to submit for the Challenges, check out our dedicated resource for libraries.
Resources and inspiration
In our resources section we have a variety of downloadable and adaptable resources available for staff and for children. Resources can be filtered by type and theme, making it as easy as possible to find something that works for you.
Everyone who registers for the Challenge will also be sent regular email updates about taking part, full of support and ideas. You may unsubscribe from these emails at any time without affecting your participation in the First Minister's Reading Challenge.
How to take part in Read, Write, Count and the First Minister's Reading Challenge
Workshops Fund
With our Workshops Fund, you could invite an author, illustrator, storyteller or poet to work with children at your library and buy books or other resources to make the most of the visit. All libraries taking part in the Reading Challenge can apply for this fund, and the deadline to apply is 17 November 2022.
CLPL
Online and local CLPL sessions are available for library staff on request – please get in touch with us if you are interested!
Library Challenge
Libraries can enter the Library Reading Culture Challenge.
Challenge submissions will be open on the website in 2023, and you can enter any time before the deadline on Thursday 27 April 2023.
Library Reading Culture Challenge
In this challenge we want to hear about how your public library has inspired children to read for pleasure through the First Minister’s Reading Challenge.
Let us know:
- How children have been involved in the library e.g. through events, book clubs, creating book recommendation displays
- The impact on the children you have worked with
Your entry can be in any format, from a written document, to a PowerPoint presentation or a video made in collaboration with families using the library – it’s up to you!
Technical support
Registration
If your library has participated in the Reading Challenge before, your key contact can opt-in to this year's challenge quickly and easily. Just log in to your account and select yes when prompted to confirm you want to take part again.
If you need to change to a new key contact, you can contact us by email at readingchallenge@scottishbooktrust.com.
If your library hasn't taken part before, you can still register for this year's challenge. If you're not sure, you can use our organisation check tool.